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GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Stephanie Stephens has been selected as superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. Stephens currently serves as the acting regional director for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service and will assume her new role this fall.
“Stephanie’s extensive experience in cultural resource stewardship, museum and curatorial leadership, collaborative planning, and community engagement is perfectly suited for this position,” said acting Northeast Region Deputy Regional Director Brandon Bies. “Her curatorial knowledge is especially relevant at Gettysburg, home to the National Park Service's largest Civil War museum collection, where the preservation, care, and interpretation of these meaningful artifacts is a central mission.”
“Growing up in Twentynine Palms, California, where a military installation and a national park were central to my community, instilled in me a deep commitment to public service and preserving our nation’s stories,” said Stephens. “It is an honor to serve at places where the stories of sacrifice, resilience, leadership, and reflection are preserved and shared. I look forward to working closely with our staff, Tribal Nations, partners, volunteers, and the communities we serve to ensure these nationally significant places continue to educate and inspire future generations.”
Stephens has been with the National Park Service for 37 years, in a variety of leadership positions focused on the preservation and stewardship of National Park Service museum collections and cultural resources. In 2016 she was selected as the National Park Service chief curator. Since then, she has served as the national deputy associate director for Park Programs and National Heritage Areas, the Midwest Region associate regional director for Cultural Resources, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance programs, and as a deputy regional director for the Midwest Region.
Stephens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from California State University, San Bernardino and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in Museum Studies and Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She also attended the Harvard Kennedy School, is a graduate of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Executive Institute – Leadership for a Democratic Society program and is currently enrolled in OPM’s Senior Executive Development Program.
About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
Last updated: August 6, 2026